Remembering Rush Limbaugh

 

Above, Rush Limbaugh receiving the Medal of Freedom. Photo by Breitbart.

The first time I ever heard Rush Limbaugh on the radio was around 1989 while working at Superior National Insurance Company in Calabasas, California. 

Glenn Thornhill and I were driving during our lunch hour and he had Rush on the radio. After listening for a half hour or so, I was hooked. His was a unique show. It was a conservative talk show, but it was entertaining with humorous parodies with hilarious results. From then on, I listened regularly, so much so that it will be life-changing for me. Who am I going to listen to, now that he passed away? 

During that period, or shortly thereafter, Rush had a television show. It was politics mixed with entertainment. Favorite moments from his show included the aftermath of the 1994 mid-term elections where the Democrats got stomped and a skit with actor James MacArthur of Hawaii Five-O fame. 

In L.A., the Rush Limbaugh Show was broadcast (mainly on KFI-AM until a station switch) from 9:00 to noon. Here in New Mexico, I listened on Albuquerque's KKOB-AM from 10:00 to 1:00. 

His last broadcast was about two weeks ago. His voice started to sound gravelly and he admitted to feeling fatigued. I began to become alarmed that his time on earth was ending by his continued absence. But, a guest host this week said that last week was "treatment week" and he will be back when he can. I somewhat relaxed. 

Then, this morning, his wife Kathryn came on following the opening theme (the Pretenders' "My City Was Gone") to announce that Rush passed away this morning at age 70. Totally devastating news to me. It was news we've been dreading.

Who can pick up the torch after Rush? Dan Bongino would be good, but he has his own cancer problems he's now dealing with. 

It was amazing that Rush lasted as long as he did following his diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer back in January 2020. He was amazed he lasted as long as he did, he said so last Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, Rush played a lot of Manheim Steamroller Christmas music during the holiday season over the years. 

Thank goodness President Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom during the 2020 State of Union. Who else would have had the chutzpah to award it to Rush with all congressional Democrats present and before a national audience? Priceless! 

We conservatives are in mourning today. But we can also be thankful that we had Rush's voice over the airwaves for as long as we did (over 30 years). 

My condolences go out to Kathryn and the Limbaugh family. He will be sorely missed.

RIP to a legend and a patriot, Rush Limbaugh. Not many people can say they revolutionized and stayed at the top of an industry the way he did. My condolences to his family. - Senator Rand Paul.

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO CHAIRMAN STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF CONSERVATIVE RADIO LEGEND RUSH LIMBAUGH   Albuquerque, February 17—The following is a statement from RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce on the passing today of radio icon Rush Limbaugh:   “Rush was a giant in radio and in the conservative movement. He was a true inspiration for everyone who treasures conservative values and principles.  He was a voice that carried so many important messages and truths in politics and other arenas. I met Rush at my Congressional Orientation in 2003, and he inspired me and encouraged me to always fight for conservatism and to stand up for our cherished freedoms and American ideals.”